January 01, 2020: SOAP #3681:  Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 1:3 And God said… 6 And God said… 9 And God said…
14 And God said… 20 And God said… 24 And God said…

Observation:  In the first chapter of Genesis we read about the six days of creation.  (In the second chapter, on the seventh day, God rested.)  It is notable that mentioned first in each creative day is God speaking.

When I started writing the SOAPs ten years ago, I wondered if God would speak to me every day for a whole year.  From the first chapter I read that year, Genesis 1, I had God’s answer.  God spoke each day!!!

Application:  Although a radio station can be broadcasting 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, my radio must be turned on and tuned in to be a receiver.

Faith is the key to receiving from God.  So how do I turn on my faith?  I come to Bible reading with a pencil and paper.  It is my way of telling God that I am expecting Him to say something to me.  It says that I will value what He says enough to write it down.  (I have found that an open document on my laptop works as good as a pencil and paper.)

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I expect you to speak to me as I read your word.  I expect you to show me things that apply to me.  I expect you to give me direction for my day.  I know you expect me to value your word and to set myself to remember it.  Holy Spirit, help me remember it and live it. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 31, 2019: SOAP #3680:  Revelation 19-22

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 21:9  One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

Observation:  What began in the first chapter of Genesis now ends in the 22^nd chapter of Revelation.  In the first chapters of Genesis we read of God creating a beautiful garden in which He would place the man He was about to create.  In Revelation 22 we read of a city he has prepared for the church, the bride of His Son Jesus!

The last verse (27) in this chapter gives extremely important information for anyone wanting to enter this city:  “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

What about those whose names are not written in that book?   Revelation (NIV) 20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Application:   What better way to end the old year than to make sure that my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life!

Prayer:   Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and cannot save myself.  I believe you died on the cross in payment for my sins.  I ask you to forgive me and cleanse me by your blood from all unrighteousness.  I confess you as my Lord.  Thank you for forgiving me.  Thank you for your kindness to me.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to live a life that brings pleasure to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 30, 2019: SOAP #3679:  Revelation 15-18

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 16:8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

Observation:  When I hear talk of global warming, I often think of this verse in the book of Revelation.  The people I hear talk of global warming, only talk from what we questionably can do to control it from earth’s point of view.  They never discuss how we can control global warming from the source of the heat.

The earth has very little, if any, influence on the sun, but the sun has tremendous effect on the earth.  The sun’s gravity holds the earth at just the right distance for the sun’s heat to properly control our climate.  A change in the heat of the sun would drastically affect the earth.  An increase in the sun’s heat output would cause global warming.

All of man’s efforts to control global warming will prove useless when the One who created both the earth and the sun instructs the sun’s temperature to increase.  What can man do then???

Application:   The good news is that God has provided a way to escape the judgment coming to earth.  Through acknowledging that my sins deserve God’s judgment, through faith in Jesus death on the cross as payment for my sins, and through receiving Jesus into my life as Savior (Savior from the judgment for sins) and LORD (Owner and controller of my life) I am freed from the penalty of sin.  It is not His physical body that I take into my life, but His Spirit who then rearranges my thoughts, feelings, everything…

Prayer:  Jesus, forgive my sins.  Come into my life as my Savior AND my Lord.  I give you my life to be an expression of love and appreciation for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 29, 2019: SOAP #3678:  Revelation 10-14

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
Romans (NIV) 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Observation:  What a difference between the activity of Jesus and Satan.  One intercedes for me; the other condemns me.  One reminds the Father of His sacrifice for me; the other reminds the Father of my failures.  One points his finger at me; One raises nail-scarred hands.

Application:  When I come in prayer before God’s throne, do my prayers sound like Jesus or Satan?   Does the Father hear condemnation and a list of failures when I pray for others?   Or does the Father hear loving and heart-felt intercession as I lift others in prayer?

Prayer:  Jesus, I want to pray in agreement with you.  Holy Spirit, check me when I get out of line.  Help me to pray prayers like Jesus prays. When the Father hears my prayers, may He think Jesus is praying.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 28, 2019: SOAP #3677:  Revelation 5-9

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Observation:  Two days ago, from Psalm 119:89, the Lord had me consider that His word is Eternal and Universal.  God’s word is truth which has no beginning and no end.  It is trustworthy in all areas of the universe, all areas of God’s creation.

Today in Revelation 5 we read of Universal acclaim of the Lamb’s worth.  Worship comes from all areas of the universe!   It is also eternal for it lasts “for ever and ever.”

Application:  Since I am a part of God’s creation, it is totally proper for worship to come from my heart and life.  And the worship that starts in my life in this life will continue into eternity.   What starts in this life will continue around God’s throne in heaven.  It will go on and on!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, there is not a day I live in which you are not worthy of my praise.  There is not a breath I take that should not be returned in praise to you.  May the air in each breath enter my body to find and become a part of praise and worship to You.  Then may the air I breath out carry with it my praise and worship to fill my environment with appreciation for you. You are worthy!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 27, 2019: SOAP #3676:  Revelation 1-4

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation (KJV) 1:2 Who [John] bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Observation:  In verse 2 I see the emphasis in the ministry of John.  #1.  He knew the Word of God and understood that Jesus is the Word made flesh.  Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament law.  #2.  In John’s gospel, he gives the testimony of Jesus.  We have a record of what Jesus said and did.  And #3.  In the book of Revelation 33 times we read, “I saw…”

Application:   In the above, I see a priority for my SOAP devotions.  #1.  They must be based on the Word of God.  #2.  They are a testimony of what Jesus has done, or is doing, in my life.  #3.  But primarily they are a written record of what God IS showing Leon.  They are my best expression of what I believe God showing me today.  This is what God showed me today; this is what I heard in my spirit today; this is what I saw as I read God’s Word.

NOTE:  Not getting the answer we are looking for does not mean that God has nothing to say to us.  Many times, He has more important things to say, but we are so focused on what we want to hear that we miss what He IS saying.  We should never think that the One known as “THE WORD” has nothing to say to us.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as we, YOU and I, come to the end of our 10^th consecutive year of doing these daily SOAPs, use them to be a testimony that you are the eternally current God. Thank you for speaking to me today!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 26, 2019: SOAP #3675:  Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 119:89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. 91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

Observation:  Two qualities are found in God’s Word.  It is eternal.  That which was written in Moses’ day “endures to this day” –King David’s day, and today, and for as many tomorrows as there will be.

It is universal.  It “stands firm in the heavens.”  It is trustworthy in all areas of God’s creation. Those now circling the earth in a space station can rely on God’s Word as surely as those whose feet have never left the earth.

God’s Word is as eternal and universal as God.  The Word of Him whose existence is from eternity past to eternity future can be no different!  The Word of Him who fills the universe with His presence can be no different~

Application:   As I approach the end of one year and the beginning of a new year, I must hold on to God’s Word.  Predictions of earthquakes, the unpredictability of various national leaders, the determination of members of the US House of Representatives to impeach our President with no evidence of him having done something worthy of such action—all this and more tells me that I need something eternal and universal for my foundation.

Prayer:   Jesus, the better I am acquainted with the eternal and universal written word of God, and the better I know You, the eternal and universal living Word of God, the better I am prepared to face the uncertainty of a new year.  Holy Spirit, continue to make the Word active in my thoughts.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 25, 2019: SOAP #3674:  1John 1-5

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. …
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Observation:  John was writing to the church about what he had seen.  The life of Christ was see-able.  It was lived in the light.

In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the life of Jesus was lived in the light.  It was see-able.  And later as John wrote to the church (above) he is telling us that the life of Christ is still to be see-able.   When we walk in the light, Jesus becomes see-able in us.

Application:   What better day to make the life of Jesus see-able than on the day we celebrate His birth.  Of course, that should be my goal every day.  I will need to be led by the Holy Spirit and may not know at what moment He will want to be seen in me.  But I trust the Spirit to work out the necessary details.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me show my appreciation for the coming of Jesus to earth by letting His life be seen in me today.   Amen
And Lord, may you richly enjoy this day of celebration as we remember your birth.  Bless those who read this SOAP with a special awareness of your Presence.  Leon  😊

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 25, 2019: SOAP #3674:  1John 1-5

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. …
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Observation:  John was writing to the church about what he had seen.  The life of Christ was see-able.  It was lived in the light.

In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the life of Jesus was lived in the light.  It was see-able.  And later as John wrote to the church (above) he is telling us that the life of Christ is still to be see-able.   When we walk in the light, Jesus becomes see-able in us.

Application:   What better day to make the life of Jesus see-able than on the day we celebrate His birth.  Of course, that should be my goal every day.  I will need to be led by the Holy Spirit and may not know at what moment He will want to be seen in me.  But I trust the Spirit to work out the necessary details.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me show my appreciation for the coming of Jesus to earth by letting His life be seen in me today.   Amen
And Lord, may you richly enjoy this day of celebration as we remember your birth.  Bless those who read this SOAP with a special awareness of your Presence.  Leon  😊

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 24, 2019: SOAP #3673:  John 19-21

Scripture:  John (NIV) 19:18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
John (NIV) 20:1  Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. …8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

Observation:  The darkest moment in the history of the earth when created man rose up to kill their creator, God the Son!   The greatest moment in the history of the earth when God the Son finished the defeat of sin and death by rising from the dead!  The first recorded in John 19 and the second in John 20.  And they are separated by only three days!

Application:  It may appear that our defeat is total.  Our future seems hopeless.  It is over.  It is the end.  Of what use is hope when the end is so final!

The only hope available through the world’s economy is hope that might last until death.  But there is a HOPE that reaches past the grave!   It is a hope that being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!!! (2Corinthians 5:8) That does not even take three days!!!

God’s hope reaches beyond the seeming finality of failure.  Failure only sets us free to start again!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, indeed you are the God of hope (Romans15:13).  Thank you for hope that reaches beyond the grave.  Thank you for hope that reaches beyond my failure.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!